The intersection of gender equality and systemic political struggle took center stage in Rabat this March, as activists gathered to discuss the role of feminism in challenging neoliberalism, authoritarianism, and militarization. The event, organized by the CADTM (Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt), served as a critical grassroots response to the global discourse on women’s rights, emphasizing that gender liberation cannot be achieved in isolation from broader economic and political liberation.
This local mobilization in Morocco follows a high-profile international diplomatic push. The Moroccan government recently marked its presence at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which took place from March 9 to 19, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. While the official state delegation focused on parity and dignity on the global stage, the Rabat gathering on March 28 sought to ground these discussions in the lived realities of those fighting structural barriers and discriminatory policies.
The Rabat event highlighted a specific ideological framework: the belief that feminism must be at the heart of the struggle against neoliberal economic policies and the rise of authoritarian governance. By linking the plight of women to the effects of militarization and illegitimate debt, the organizers aimed to broaden the definition of women’s rights to include economic justice and the dismantling of oppressive state apparatuses.
The Global Context: CSW70 and the Push for Justice
The Rabat discussions were deeply informed by the themes of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The priority theme for CSW70 was the strengthening of access to justice for all women and girls. This included a global mandate to promote inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, and address the structural barriers that prevent women from achieving full legal protection.
According to official UN documentation, the session likewise focused on a review theme regarding the full and effective participation and decision-making of women in public life, alongside the elimination of violence. The contrast between these institutional goals and the Rabat activists’ focus on “neoliberalism and militarization” underscores a tension between reformist legal changes and revolutionary systemic change.
For many participants in the Rabat gathering, the “access to justice” discussed at the UN level is insufficient if the legal systems themselves are embedded within an authoritarian or neoliberal framework. They argue that true justice requires not just the removal of discriminatory laws, but a complete restructuring of how power and resources are distributed in society.
Analyzing the Struggle Against Neoliberalism and Militarization
The CADTM-organized event in Rabat specifically targeted the impact of neoliberalism on women. Neoliberalism refers to the market-driven policies—often mandated by international financial institutions—that prioritize privatization and austerity. Activists argue that these policies disproportionately affect women, who often bear the brunt of reduced social services and the burden of unpaid care work.
The connection to “militarization” was another pillar of the Rabat discourse. The participants examined how the diversion of public funds toward military spending reduces the budget available for healthcare, education, and social protection. This shift in priorities is viewed not only as a political choice but as a direct assault on the dignity and survival of women and girls in the Global South.
the event addressed the rise of authoritarianism. The organizers posited that the erosion of democratic spaces and the crackdown on civil liberties are intrinsically linked to the economic pressures of neoliberalism. By framing feminism as a tool for resistance against these forces, the gathering sought to unite diverse feminist movements under a common banner of anti-authoritarianism.
Key Pillars of the Rabat Discourse
- Economic Sovereignty: Challenging the legitimacy of debts that force states to cut social spending, thereby harming women’s access to basic services.
- Systemic Justice: Moving beyond “inclusive legal systems” toward the total elimination of structural barriers created by capitalist and patriarchal frameworks.
- Anti-Militarism: Advocating for the reallocation of military budgets toward social infrastructure and gender-responsive public services.
- Political Agency: Resisting authoritarian trends that seek to limit the participation of women and marginalized groups in public life.
From Global Commitments to Local Action
The disparity between the “global commitments” seen at CSW70 and the “local struggles” in Rabat reflects a broader trend in international human rights. While the UN Women and member states work toward agreed conclusions and policy frameworks, grassroots organizations like CADTM argue that these frameworks often fail to address the root causes of inequality.
The Rabat event served as a “compte rendu” or a critical reporting of these failures. By organizing on March 28, shortly after the conclusion of the UN session, the activists aimed to bridge the gap between the high-level diplomacy in New York and the street-level reality in Morocco. They emphasized that “parity” in government is a hollow victory if the government continues to implement policies that marginalize the poor.
This approach suggests that the future of the feminist movement in the region may be increasingly aligned with “intersectional” struggles—where gender is viewed as one of many intersecting identities affected by class, race, and geopolitical power dynamics.
Comparison of Approaches to Women’s Rights
| Focus Area | Institutional (CSW70/UN) | Grassroots (Rabat/CADTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Access to justice and legal reform | Dismantling neoliberalism and authoritarianism |
| Mechanism | Inclusive legal systems and policy changes | Anti-militarization and debt abolition |
| View of State | Partner in implementing gender parity | Potential source of authoritarian oppression |
| Key Metric | Representation in public life | Socio-economic liberation and dignity |
As the global community continues to navigate the complexities of gender equality, the events in Rabat serve as a reminder that for many, the fight for women’s rights is inseparable from the fight for a different economic and political world order. The insistence on placing feminism at the center of the struggle against militarization and neoliberalism marks a shift toward a more confrontational and systemic approach to human rights.
The next critical checkpoint for these movements will be the follow-up implementation reports from the CSW70 session, where member states are expected to demonstrate how they have translated their commitments to “access to justice” into tangible legal and structural changes for women and girls.
We invite our readers to share their perspectives on the intersection of economic policy and gender rights in the comments below.
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